Effective joint programming, or “convergence strategy,” by concerned government agencies can greatly enhance the efficiency and impact of social protection initiatives in the country, and ultimately result in sustainable poverty reduction and inclusive growth in the Philippines, a discussion paper published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said.
The report posted on its website titled, “Assessing the Implementation of Joint Programming in Government Social Protection and Economic Inclusion Interventions in the Philippines,” said that despite the government’s ambitious target to reduce poverty from 18.1 percent in 2021 to 9.0 percent by 2028, significant challenges remain in coordinating and integrating social protection efforts.
Joint programming, also referred to as convergence strategy in social protection and economic inclusion interventions, has emerged as a critical strategy for addressing persistent poverty in the Philippines, stated the paper authored by PIDS senior research fellow Jose Ramon Albert, research associate Frances Genevieve Genio of the Rural Advancement Committee Philippines, and research assistant Jan Joy Louise Crismo.
Synergetic intervention
According to the report, the joint programming approach involves directing complementary and synergetic intervention programs to specified targets such as poor households, families, individuals and communities, based on their needs.
By leveraging the strengths and resources of multiple departments involved in social protection, particularly the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), joint programming could enhance the effectiveness of social protection and economic inclusion interventions, the paper said.
Some examples of this initiative include the DSWD’s internal convergence strategy launched in 2012, which integrated the implementation of DSWD flagship programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the Sustainable Livelihood Program and the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, and the Program Convergence Budgeting approach initiated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), to facilitate coordinated resource allocation across agencies.
“However, the implementation of these efforts has been uneven, and challenges persist in achieving truly integrated and effective joint programming across government agencies and levels of governance,” the report said.
“The recent poverty trends and the government’s ambitious reduction targets highlight the urgency of addressing these implementation gaps and strengthening collaborative approaches to poverty reduction. The implementation of joint programming initiatives requires, in particular, careful coordination between national government agencies and local government units,” it added.
Operational challenges
The discussion paper said that while the policy framework for joint programming has evolved significantly over the past decade, operational challenges have persisted in areas such as resource allocation, beneficiary targeting and program monitoring.
The authors of the report recommended that a comprehensive national framework for joint programming be developed, accompanied by strengthened policy coherence across agencies and governance levels.
“This framework should include clear governance structures, standardized protocols for inter-agency collaboration, integrated data management systems and institutionalized resource-sharing mechanisms, ensuring sustained commitment to integrated approaches in social protection and economic inclusion,” the report said.
Local training, tech support
The paper also said significant investment in enhancing local implementation capacity through targeted training and technical support, would be essential, while a systematic review and rationalization of agency mandates should be undertaken to address overlapping roles and responsibilities.
“Future program designs should incorporate graduation approaches into mainstream social protection programs, while strengthening beneficiary targeting and referral mechanisms,” the report said.
“Reform of budget processes to better support joint programming initiatives is crucial, accompanied by exploration of innovative financing approaches and strengthened performance-based resource allocation. These reforms should aim to optimize resource utilization while ensuring sustainable program funding through both traditional and innovative financing mechanisms,” it added.
The discussion paper stated that the establishment of common results frameworks across agencies, implementation of integrated beneficiary tracking systems and regular impact assessments would enhance program effectiveness.
Private-sector partnerships
Meanwhile, strategic partnerships with civil society organizations and the private sector should be strengthened and institutionalized beyond project-based arrangements, the report said, adding that these should include long-term partnership frameworks, clear mechanisms for resource sharing and coordination, and platforms for regular dialogue and collaboration.
“The successful implementation of these recommendations will be crucial for achieving the government’s poverty reduction target of nine percent by 2028. This requires sustained political commitment, enhanced institutional capacities and strong monitoring and evaluation systems,” the report said.
The latest available data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that poverty incidence among the population in 2023 dropped to 15.5 percent from 18.1 percent in 2021.
